India Rejected US Request For Press Meet, Congress Charge On PM Modi (Image:twitter.com/POTUS/status)
Despite multiple requests India rejected US President”s request to address media questions, accused Congress.
President Biden arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the G20 Summit held on September 9 and 10.
Congress on Sunday launched a fresh charge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that he denied multiple request from the US President and his team to hold a press meet after the bilateral meeting in Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit, in which President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi could address the media.
To defend the allegation, Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh quoted President Biden”s address to media while being in Vietnam following his visit to India for the G20 Summit.
President Joe Biden arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 2023 G20 Summit. Soon after the arrival, the President held bilateral meetings with PM Modi at his residence. He then left to Vietnam for an official visit.
In Vietnam, Mr Biden stated that he had a conversation with PM Modi about human rights and free press during the bilateral meetings.
Mr Ramesh, taking Biden”s statement said on X (formerly Twitter) that, “Mr. Modi saying to Mr. Biden — “Na Press Conference karoonga, Na karne doonga” [won”t hold a press conference, won”t let you hold one] has had no impact”.
“Mr. Biden is saying the same things in Vietnam which he said to Mr. Modi’s face in India — on respecting human rights, the role of civil society and free press”, Mr Ramesh added while sharing a snippet from Biden”s address at Vietnam.
Mr. Modi saying to Mr. Biden — “Na Press Conference karoonga,
Na karne doonga” has had no impact.Mr. Biden is saying the same things in Vietnam which he said to Mr. Modi’s face in India — on respecting human rights, the role of civil society and free press. pic.twitter.com/08WthcKdUC
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 10, 2023
“And as I always do, I raised the importance of respecting human rights, the vital role of civil society, and a free press and building a strong and prosperous country with Mr Modi. We got a lot of important work done”, said Mr Biden in his official visit to Vietnam.
Mr Ramesh had already made an allegation on Friday, that President Biden”s team said they were denied of interacting with the media and take questions about President”s meeting with PM Modi.
“President Biden”s team says despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting”, Mr Ramesh wrote on Friday.
“President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on Sept 11th from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all. This is how democracy is done Modi-style!”, he accused PM then.
President Biden”s team says despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting. President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on Sept 11th from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all.…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 8, 2023
As part of the protocol of bilateral meetings between leaders, generally, there are restrictions on media access. Journalists accompanying Joe Biden were asked to remain outside when the President met PM Modi at his official residence, reported the India Today.
